Daisy tire electronics assembly

Abstract

A tire electronics assembly includes a base and a plurality of modules. The base is mechanically attached to the tire and includes an electronic device. A plurality of mechanical attachment elements are arranged on the base in a circular array. Each module includes an electronic device and a mechanical attachment element. Each mechanical attachment element on a module is configured to releasably mechanically attach to any one of the mechanical attachment elements on the base. In this configuration, the modules are interchangeably mechanically attachable to the base in the circular array. The base further includes a plurality of electrical terminals arranged in a circular array. Each module has an electrical terminal that is configured to releasably electrically connect with any one of the electrical terminals on the base, whereby the modules are interchangeably electrically connectable with the base in the circular array.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for use with a tire, comprising:
 a base attached to the tire, the base including a plurality of mechanical attachment elements; and 
 a plurality of modules, each of which contains an electronic device and a has mechanical attachment element, wherein each mechanical attachment element on a module is configured to releasably mechanically attach to any one of the mechanical attachment elements on the base, whereby the modules are interchangeably mechanically attachable to the base in a circular array. 
 
     
     
       2. An apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of mechanical attachment elements are arranged in a circular array, and wherein each mechanical attachment element on the base includes a slot aligned radially with a central axis of the circular array. 
     
     
       3. An apparatus as defined in  claim 2 , wherein each module is shaped as a board configured for insertion in any one of the slots. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the base overlies an interior surface of the tire. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the base includes an electronic device, and wherein the electronic device in the base is configured to provide a unique identification signal identifying the tire. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the electronic devices in the modules include air pressure sensors. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the electronic devices in the modules include temperature sensors. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus for use with a tire, comprising:
 a base attached to the tire, the base including a plurality of electrical terminals; and 
 a plurality of modules, each of which contains an electronic device and has an electrical terminal, wherein each electrical terminal on a module is configured to releasably electrically connect with any one of the electrical terminals on the base, whereby the modules are interchangeably electrically connectable with the base in a circular array. 
 
     
     
       9. An apparatus as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of electrical terminals are arranged in a circular array, and wherein each mechanical attachment element on the base includes a slot aligned radially with a central axis of the circular array. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus as defined in  claim 8 , wherein each module is shaped as a board configured for insertion in any one of the slots. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the base overlies an interior surface of the tire. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the electronic devices in the modules include air pressure sensors. 
     
     
       13. An apparatus as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the electronic devices in the modules include temperature sensors. 
     
     
       14. An apparatus as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the base includes an electronic device, and wherein the electronic device in the base is configured to provide a unique identification signal identifying the tire. 
     
     
       15. An apparatus as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the base includes a plurality of mechanical attachment elements arranged in a circular array, and each module has a mechanical attachment element configured to releasably mechanically attach to any one of the mechanical attachment elements on the base, whereby the modules are interchangeably mechanically attachable to the base in the circular array. 
     
     
       16. An apparatus comprising:
 a tire; 
 a base attached to the tire, the base including a plurality of mechanical attachment elements; and 
 a plurality of modules, each of which contains an electronic device and a has mechanical attachment element, wherein each mechanical attachment element on a module is configured to releasably mechanically attach to any one of the mechanical attachment elements on the base, whereby the modules are interchangeably mechanically attachable to the base in a circular array. 
 
     
     
       17. An apparatus as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of mechanical attachment elements are arranged in a circular array, and wherein each mechanical attachment element on the base includes a slot aligned radially with a central axis of the circular array. 
     
     
       18. An apparatus as defined in  claim 17 , wherein each module is shaped as a board configured for insertion in any one of the slots. 
     
     
       19. An apparatus as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the base includes an electronic device, and wherein the electronic device in the base is configured to provide a unique identification signal identifying the tire. 
     
     
       20. An apparatus as defined in  claim 16 , wherein each module has an electrical terminal configured to releasably electrically connect with any one of a plurality of electrical terminals on the base, whereby the modules are interchangeably electrically connectable with the base in the circular array.